Whether you are a serious dog walker or just looking for an easy business to get into and need some extra cash to help increase your income for that special treat. A dog walking business is an ideal way to do it.
1 – The first thing you must have is love for dogs. Not just a love for them, but a love for them. Dogs can sense if you feel scared, insecure, or just don’t like them. They will act bad if you don’t know how to handle them, lash out at them, handle them awkwardly, or show cruelty towards them. They may turn away from you, misbehave you, and some may even bite you. If you are not feeling warm and confused around dogs and pets, stop now, because a dog walking business is not a good idea for you.
2 – Decide if you want to work part or full time and commit to a schedule with regular hours.
3 – Choose to walk all types of dogs, or just specific breeds and sizes or energy levels. For example, Jack Russell dogs and other terriers are high-energy breeds and will require a lot of patience.
4 – Choose the walking services that you are going to have. Will you go on group walks, hikes to favorite spots, or will you only walk one dog at a time? Also, will you provide other dog services like dog baths? These additional services can increase your income. Some dogs won’t go for group walks, so you’ll need to have a way to assess that and a method to deal with it if it happens.
5 – Develop walking routes (note that shorter-legged dogs and some dog breeds will travel shorter distances than their long-legged friends). Find and map off-leash play areas for planned dog playtime, and create a spot in your car that can be used to transport pets.
6 – Create a secure and private area to store the house keys for your clients that does not compromise their privacy.
7 – Develop a program that includes a consultation with the client and a presentation of the pet and a contract with the client.
8 – Professional education is not required, but you will want to know what to do in case a pet becomes aggressive or scared and runs away from you or becomes ill. You will also want to know about favorite pet foods and toys and any outdoor items that may require dog clothes for the pet for which you are responsible. Also a high priority area to be aware of is dog health and safety issues related to your new business – call a vet or, better yet, visit their offices for advice, suggestions, and feedback.
9 – Create a contract with the client that covers health, insurance and any other topic that comes to mind. You can even go to a dog boarding place and ask for a copy of the contract they use and duplicate it yourself. Have an attorney test the final review of your contract to make sure you’ve covered everything you can and would be responsible for. Use this time to also create a business policy that also outlines your code of conduct, mission statement, and how and when you are paid.
10 – Do some research on the Internet and choose an excellent name for your company. A name that relates to your niche. Register your business and business name and get a business checking account once you have completed these things and step 11.
11 – Time to get a business license and business insurance, find out about any dog licenses, and check if there are any local city statutes you need to know about. Pay required fees before walking your first dog.
12 – Earn the trust of potential customers by making yourself visible in your community. Join any free local group you can. Create multiple brochures and post them everywhere. Find an opportunity to volunteer at a pet store or even take a paid position for a while, then we encourage you to get involved. Join any networking group you are a good fit for. Get a list of pet photographers in your area and visit those people for tips and advice. Are there people around who massage pets? – Call them. Maybe it’s a service that you can add later as well. Print business cards and always keep a handful with you and in your car.
13 – Free Advertising Is Everywhere: Offer a free dog walking class and get free radio and media publicity by sending out a press release about yourself, your new business, and your first class. If you have a dog, put up a billboard on his coat and walk around your own block, talking to people and asking local residents for references, sales leads, and marketing tips. I used to put my phone in my dog’s coat bag and walk to the mall for lunch. Once he started calling, people started laughing and asking me questions. It was a great memory for them about me.
14 – Dress appropriately professional. People want to feel that they can entrust you with the keys to their home and their beloved pet. Clean and tidy clothes and shoes, combed hair, clean nails, and great smelling breath will give you a clue faster than any conversation you do. People make more than 100 assumptions about you (non-verbally) in the first 3 to 20 seconds they meet you; use that time to your advantage. If you don’t have time to change into clean clothes, reschedule your appointment. The same rules apply to showing up in a dirty car.
15 – Work locally enough to be able to create a referral list for potential clients.